'Twas The Night Before Christmas

As a child, the anticipation of Christmas was almost (if not more) exciting than the actual day itself. Every year, I looked forward to seeing Santa in person (typically at B. Altman's or Gimbels) and telling him what was at the top of my list.

On Christmas Eve, the stockings were definitely hung with care...



And I loved having the story of "The Night Before Christmas" read to me before I went to bed so that Santa could do his work.



Combining the famous Clement Clarke Moore poem with photographs from the seasonal display at the Elias & Co. Department Store over on DCA's Buena Vista Street, I am presenting to you this Christmas Eve treat. You will note that photos do not cover all of the words to Moore's poem. For whatever reason, a few have been left out; I even went back to check a second time to make sure I hadn't missed one of the displays. I have filled in the blanks for the missing portions. I have included both the long shots and the closeups (to make it easier to read).









And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,





The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,





"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.





The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.









To those who celebrate Christmas Eve, here's to an evening full of excitement and wonder. To those who don't, the wishes for wonder and excitement are still the same!

See more vintage & current Disneyland Christmas photos on my Christmas web pages.

The Silhouette Studio

The Silhouette Studio on East Main Street is a somewhat hidden gem at Disneyland. Here, guests can have their silhouettes done the old-fashioned way: hand-cut by the talented artists that work inside. Here's a vintage silhouette:



I love the creative signature of the artist, Alex, found in the lower-right-hand corner:



This article was featured in the Disneyland Line Newsletter, April 27, 1978:

Of Shadows and Smiles…The Main Street Silhouette Studio

When Walt Disney first conceived his Main Street entryway to the Magic Kingdom, he desired that each details, each characteristic trait of that turn-of-the-century period be recreated in the most authentic manner. One of the most prominent examples of this duplication of 19th century life lies within the door of the Main Street Silhouette Studio. Today an almost obsolete art form, the craft of cutting profile likenesses found its roots in the mid-18th century. Étienne Silhouette, a French finance minister, originated the commercial production of the craft. During that time, the privilege of personal portraiture was reserved for the very elite, and Étienne began his campaign to generate the production of the "poor man's" portrait…the Silhouette. Eventually this innovative art form caught on even in the wealthy circles and became one of the most popular portrait devices in Europe.



The invention of the camera cast a lasting shadow over the art of silhouette creation, and today only about 25 full-time silhouette artists exist in this country. Harry Brice is Disneyland's artist in residence, and tells an interesting tale of how he came to be an artist of such rare talents. "I was being interviewd by Disneyland's former artist lessee, and he asked me if I'd had any experience with silhouette portraits. I didn't even know what a silhouette portrait WAS, but told my interviewer that I was experienced int he field. Within a week, I had taught myself the craft, and was working in the Sihouette Shop."



Since that time over 10 years ago, Harry has become an accomplished duplicator of Disneyland guest profiles. 60,000 silhouettes were created by Harry last year alone, and it's been estimated that he's the "fastest snip in the West"…and the world at 30 seconds per portrait. Harry has scissored some unusual profiles, as horses, cats and dogs are now a part of his repertoire. One of his most memorable portraits is a silhouette of a departed husband, described th Harry by the man's widow.



Although Harry is the shop's full-time artist, Laurie Myers and Bonnie Elliot share the responsibility on party nights and during the summer and peak seasons. A Silhouette Cart in New Orleans Square relieves some of the pressure during the busier periods.

More than artistic talent, however, is required to be a creative silhouette cutter. Showmanship, patience and an infinite sense of humor are prerequisites to the success of the craft. And in every aspect of this art, Harry and his staff of artists are a difficult group to over-shadow.



Apparently, Bonnie is still working in the shop, racking up 38 years of employment at the park. Next time you are on Main Street, be sure to take advantage of this almost lost art of portrait making. You'll be glad you did!

See more vintage and current Silhouette Studio photos on my Silhouette Studio web page.

Paving Over Paradise

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Many are familiar with those lyrics from Joni Mitchell's 1970 song "Big Yellow Taxi." Almost as many are under the misconception that she was referring to Hollywood's legendary hotel of yesteryear, The Garden of Allah. Although that's not true, the lyrics are still (sadly) applicable.

The Garden of Allah was a famous Hollywood hotel on Sunset Boulevard between Crescent Heights and Havenhurst. Its name came from stage and silent screen actress Alla Nazimova, who bought the original mansion at 8080 Sunset Boulevard for $65,000 in 1918. She spent an additional $65,000 on the Garden of Alla (the 'h' came later), remodeling the interior, building a pool (constructed in the shape of the Black Sea), and re-landscaping the property’s three and a half acres. Some sources say the pool, a large 65' x 45', was a gift from Paramount Studios, designed to remind their star of her birthplace in Yalta. Near the end of her acting career, Nazimova was advised by her 'business experts' to convert the mansion into a revenue generating property to provide her with retirement income. She completed remodeling the house and added 25 two-story villas surrounding it (at a cost of $1.5 million), opening The Garden of Alla in January 9, 1927. Ads promised an “atmosphere of exclusive refinement” at “California’s Finest Summer Hotel in Hollywood” with “excellent cuisine.” The bar was the hotel's biggest selling point, where guests were allowed to carry a tab (even during Prohibition).



Within a year, Nazimova went bankrupt and had to sell the hotel, continuing to rent a small apartment in the complex until her death in 1945. Supposedly, she was not very happy that the new owner added an "h" to the hotel’s name.

The Garden of Allah was a home away from home to many celebrities and literary figures of the Golden Era of Hollywood. F. Scott Fitzgerald lived there for several months in 1937-38 while doing script work. Humorist/actor Robert Benchley was a frequent resident, as were Ernest Hemingway, Gloria Stuart, Dorothy Parker, Errol Flynn, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, and the Marx Brothers. Fitzgerald's biographer and lover Sheilah Graham later wrote a book about the hotel called “The Garden of Allah”.

Here's a photo Humphrey Bogart and then wife Mary Phillips, late 1930's. Supposedly, Bogie met Lauren Bacall at the hotel.



The downfall of the hotel is summed up very poetically by Walt Lockley:

[The hotel's] reputation grew progressively less glamorous through the property's 30-year decline, and towards the end its arcades and arched alcoves among the thick poolside tangle of orange trees, palms and hibiscus were more likely to be concealing a curled-up junky than a grinning, cursing, naked Carole Lombard.

At a time when historic preservation was nothing but an annoying whisper, the hotel was torn down and replaced by a bank with a strip mall behind it. Silent screen actor Francis X. Bushman (“Ben Hur”) and his wife Iva, who had been at the opening party, attended the closing party in August 1959 as well. Over a thousand people showed up, many dressed as the hotel’s previous guests - including Valentino, Chaplin, Clara Bow, and even Nazimova herself. Her 1923 silent film “Salome” was screened at the party as a tribute to her.

Presently, the former Allah location serves as a nondescript strip mall that contains a McDonald’s, and a Washington Mutual Bank. For years after it was leveled, a model of the hotel was on display outside the bank building, encased in glass. It was moved inside the bank for a time, but now the model is gone as well. This video shows what's left of the famed hotel:



See more vintage & current Hollywood photos on my Hollywood web page.

Monsanto Hall of Chemistry

Yes, there was life before Star Tours! In its place the Monsanto Hall of Chemistry wowed guests for years. Zooming in, you can see just how "wowed" this young lady is by the wonders of science. In her hot little hand is a treasured Disneyland ticket book, showing tickets from A to D; the "E" ticket hadn't even been invented yet!



Moving to the right of the building, you can see this pretty little water feature that graced the outside of the building, circa August 1959:



Last night, through the generosity of my friend Stacy, I was able to attend this year's final Candlelight Performance (and sadly, most likely the last one on Main Street at Disneyland). John Stamos did an outstanding (and truly heartfelt) job.



Drew Tablak sang "Silent Night" like I have never heard it before; amazing.



What a special evening it was. More to come later from last night's performance. First I need sleep!

See more Monsanto Hall of Chemistry photos on my Hall of Chemistry web page.

Keel Boats

I am sad to say that I never got to ride around the Rivers of America on a Keel Boat. From many accounts, they were cramped and a bit choppy on the water, but still...I would love to have experienced them. In this first photo, Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen stand aboard the Keel Boats used in the Davy Crockett TV series, which spawned the ones used in the parks.

The Gullywhumper, seen in this warm-hued 1950's shot, was the plainer of the two, and actually looked more like the ones used in the TV show.



The Bertha Mae was a tad fancier, as can be seen in this 1950's image. Amazing what a little paint and gingerbread trim can do!



I'm digging the paper hats and life-preserver, too.



Frequent Daveland reader JG submitted this 1965 photo of The Gullywhumper:



The Bertha Mae is visible in long shot in this January 1964 shot:



The reason I like this photo is because it shows a yet-to-be-opened Haunted Mansion. No wonder there are no lines!



The Bertha Mae disappeared from the park long ago, but The Gullywhumper can still be seen, anchored in front of the (former) Burning Cabin:



See more vintage and current Keel Boat photos on my Keel Boat web page.

The Devil Is A Woman

"Doña Diabla" (1950), aka "The Devil is a Woman," starring María Félix, is a Mexican film drama. I don't know squat about it, other than I have been commissioned to do a painting inspired by the film poster. This one is right up my alley; saturated colors and a style that evokes Tamara Lempicka.



See more Daveland art on my website.

Octet of 50's Fun

This batch of photos proved to be a mini-treasure trove to my inner Disney Geek. This first shot shows a thrilled little boy, exiting the Rocket to the Moon attraction. You can just imagine his sense of wonder and amazement after having visited the moon! Zooming in, you can see something in his hand:



Thanks to the photo collection of Kevin Kidney, you can see the Moonliner Certificate that the little boy is carrying:



Attempting to be a detective, I am guessing that next the family boarded a Skyway Bucket at the Tomorrowland Skyway Station:



Captured this shot of the Moonliner (from where they had just seen the moon!):



Sailed gently over Monstro and Storybook Land:



and then snapped this Fantasyland photo as their bucket landed in the Fantasyland Skyway Station:



Over in Frontierland, it appears that they might have had a meal at the Chicken Plantation Restaurant, allowing them to enjoy this view of The Rivers of America:



Over at the Indian Village, there's a show going on in the Ceremonial Dance Circle:



Zooming in, you can see the ticket booth for the Indian War Canoes:



Last one from this set shows another Ceremonial Dance Circle view:



For me, attempting to recreate the journey of a family's day from these vintage photos is all part of the fun!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland web pages.